Shopping online

When you buy something on the internet, you are covered by distance selling rules. If the website is based in the EU, then specific e-commerce regulations apply that give you additional protection. These rules are in addition to your consumer rights.

E-commerce regulations

These regulations apply to all web traders in the EU, even those that may be excluded from some or all of the distance selling rules. They state that the following information must be shown:

The name of the trader
The geographic address of the trader
A contact email address that allows the trader to be contacted quickly
Information about the company's registration, such as their Company Registration Number or VAT number
Details of any regulatory or licensing requirements the trader is subject to
The different steps that need to be followed to make a purchase
There should be a way to see and correct any mistakes before you place your order
The language(s) that your contract is in
The terms and conditions of the contact must also be made available to you in a way that allows you to store them.
You should be given an acknowledgement or receipt of the order, either on your screen or by email.

Online auctions and your rights

Items sold in an online auction where the seller is another consumer are not covered by any of the distance selling rules, so you do not have a ‘cooling off’ period. Usually auction sites themselves take no responsibility for the quality of the items for sale, or the truth or accuracy of the listings. Always check the terms and conditions of the auction website before making a bid.